- World Health Organisation (WHO) and Government of India have recently signed Memorandum of Understanding to co-host Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, scheduled to be held in New Delhi (December 17–19, 2025).
- Summit will mobilize multi-stakeholder action in support of WHO’s new 10-year Global Traditional Medicine Strategy (2025–34), which was adopted at 78th World Health Assembly.
- Theme: Event marks new chapter in global collaboration for health and sustainability with theme “Restoring balance: The science and practice of health and well-being”.
Background and Context
Evolution of Global Traditional Medicine Framework
- First WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, alongside G-20 Health Ministerial Meeting.
- Gathering brought together Ministers, scientists, practitioners and communities from around world, mobilizing political commitment, fostering data-driven action, and laying groundwork for evidence-based integration of traditional medicine into national health systems.
Gujarat Declaration and its Mandate
- Gujarat Declaration adopted at first Summit called for several critical interventions including protection of biodiversity, fair benefit-sharing mechanisms, digital innovation, and equitable access to traditional health knowledge.
- Declaration established foundation for transforming traditional medicine from heritage practice to scientifically validated healthcare system.
Establishment of WHO’s Global Traditional Medicine Centre
- WHO’s Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) was established in Jamnagar, Gujarat, with foundational support from Government of India.
- Centre serves as knowledge hub for evidence-based collaboration and innovation, reflecting shared global leadership and WHO’s vision that harnessing potential of traditional medicine can be game-changer for health when grounded in evidence, innovation, and sustainability.
Global Landscape of Traditional Medicine
Widespread Usage Across WHO Member-States
- Around 90% of WHO member-states have reported use of traditional medicine within their healthcare systems.
- For billions of people, particularly in low- and middle-income nations, traditional medicine remains first line of care due to considerations of accessibility and affordability.
Holistic Value Beyond Healthcare
- Traditional medicine’s value extends well beyond healthcare delivery, supporting biodiversity conservation, nutrition security, food security and livelihoods.
- System embodies holistic concept of integrative health that views health not merely as absence of illness but as presence of equilibrium.
Paradigm Shift in Healthcare Approach
- Global healthcare systems are evolving from reactive treatment models to proactive, preventive, and personalized approaches.
- This shift represents shared realization that well-being cannot be achieved through fragmented approaches but demands ecosystem of balance between mind and body, human and environment, science and spirit.
India’s Leadership in Traditional Medicine
India’s Traditional Medicine Systems
India serves as birthplace of multiple traditional medicine systems including:
- Ayurveda: Ancient system of medicine based on natural and holistic approach to physical and mental health.
- Yoga: Practice combining physical, mental and spiritual disciplines.
- Unani: System based on teachings of Greek physician Hippocrates and Roman physician Galen.
- Siddha: Traditional medicine system originating in Tamil Nadu.
- Sowa-Rigpa: Traditional medical system practiced in Himalayan region.
Economic Significance of AYUSH Sector
- Market analysts estimate India’s AYUSH sector at $43.4 billion, reflecting not only consumer preference but also paradigm shift in healthcare approach.
- Surge demonstrates India’s emergence as hub of innovative research and development initiatives, transforming global traditional medicine sector.
India’s Institutional Initiatives
Under Prime Minister’s emphasis on evidence-based research in field, several initiatives have been undertaken:
- Dedicated AYUSH department established at Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for standardization and quality control
- Development of global standards in AYUSH Systems through ISO/TC 249/SC 2 subcommittee, paving way for wider global acceptance of India’s traditional medicine
- Evidence-based research programs integrating traditional knowledge with modern scientific validation
- Establishment of WHO’s Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar demonstrating India’s commitment to global leadership
WHO’s Global Traditional Medicine Centre: Mandate and Focus
Strategic Focus Areas
GTMC operates with strategic focus on multiple dimensions:
- Evidence and Learning: Building robust scientific evidence base for traditional medicine practices through rigorous research and validation
- Data and Analytics: Creating comprehensive databases and analytical frameworks for traditional medicine knowledge systems
- Sustainability and Equity: Ensuring traditional medicine contributes to sustainable development while maintaining equitable access across populations
- Innovation and Collaboration: Serving as knowledge hub fostering evidence-based collaboration among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers
Guiding Principles
- Centre upholds critical principle often overlooked in age of globalisation—respect for local heritages, resources, and rights.
- Approach ensures that traditional knowledge systems are protected, preserved, and shared equitably while preventing biopiracy and ensuring benefit-sharing with communities that have preserved this knowledge across generations.
Second WHO Global Summit: Objectives and Significance
Alignment with Global Health Priorities
- Summit aims to deepen scientific understanding, encourage innovation, and align traditional medicine’s potential with modern global health priorities.
- Event will mobilize action supporting WHO’s new 10-year Global Traditional Medicine Strategy (2025–34), providing roadmap for integration of traditional medicine into mainstream healthcare systems.
Addressing Contemporary Health Challenges
- As world grapples with rising lifestyle diseases, environmental degradation, and social fragmentation, Summit recognizes necessity of restoring balance between people and planet, progress and sustainability, innovation and intuition.
Multi-Stakeholder Engagement
- Summit will bring together diverse stakeholders including government representatives, scientific community, traditional medicine practitioners, pharmaceutical industry, civil society organizations, and international agencies to forge collaborative partnerships for advancing traditional medicine agenda.
Integration of Traditional Medicine with Modern Science
Evidence-Based Validation
- Growing recognition of traditional medicine as scientific and social asset requires rigorous validation through modern research methodologies.
- Integration approach unites tradition with technology, research with community participation, and well-being with sustainability.
Technology-Enabled Innovation
- Digital innovation and data analytics are being leveraged to document, preserve, and disseminate traditional medicine knowledge.
- Modern technologies enable genomic studies, phytochemical analysis, and clinical trials that validate efficacy and safety of traditional medicine practices.
Coexistence Framework
- India’s contribution demonstrates how traditional knowledge can coexist with modern science through integration rather than replacement.
- Approach maintains respect for heritage while embracing scientific rigor, creating hybrid healthcare model that draws strength from both systems.
Global Health Implications
Universal Health Coverage
- Integration of traditional medicine into national health systems can significantly contribute to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by providing accessible, affordable, and acceptable healthcare options, particularly for underserved populations in low- and middle-income countries.
Sustainable Development Goals Alignment
- Traditional medicine directly contributes to multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 15 (Life on Land) through biodiversity conservation, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through livelihood generation, and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) through equitable healthcare access.
Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Action
- Traditional medicine systems rely on medicinal plants and natural resources, creating strong incentive for biodiversity conservation.
- Protection of traditional knowledge also preserves ecosystem services and supports climate change mitigation through sustainable resource management practices.
WAY FORWARD
- Greater emphasis must be placed on evidence-based validation of traditional knowledge through credible scientific collaboration.
- Strengthening of global standards, quality control, and regulatory mechanisms must be undertaken to facilitate widespread global acceptance.
- Integration between traditional and modern health systems must be enhanced to ensure accessible, preventive, and personalized health care.
- Broader attention must be directed towards biodiversity protection, fair benefit-sharing, and ethical use of traditional knowledge as guided by global declarations.
- Active involvement of communities, research institutions, private sector innovators, and international organizations must be ensured to consolidate holistic health outcomes.
Conclusion
- The Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine represents more than an event; a global convergence is marked to reaffirm that the future of health lies in harmony.
- Through shared global leadership exemplified by the GTMC and successive summits, traditional medicine is being positioned as a scientific and social asset capable of addressing contemporary health challenges while restoring balance between humanity, nature, and progress.
- For India, this journey underscores its ancient wisdom’s continued relevance in shaping a sustainable and equitable global health architecture.
